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“No, I haven’t.” Reaching for his hand, “I’m just tired. You don’t have to stay home; I’m not going to run away or something.”

Looking instantly calmer, he kissed the side of my head again.

What I would do to get in his head and to understand his beautifully damaged mind.

His need to touch me, how he treats me, but still tells himself he doesn’t love me.

Someone had seriously fucked up how his mind worked.

Sometimes it is hard to love a man so complicated.

CHAPTER 23

Vince

I had never seen so many boxes in my life. If I didn’t know Madeline, I would mistake them as moving boxes.

“You’ve been shopping?”

She looked up from the middle of our bed. “It’s not like that; I’ll have a new last name. I might need a new style.”

“My love, just say you wanted new clothes. You don’t need to make excuses.”

“I wanted new clothes.” She grinned, jumping off the bed, and followed me into the bathroom. “Are you busy?”

“Bloody.” I pulled off my jacket, her face wrinkling up at my shirt. “I’ll get the rest after I shower.”

“Oh, you saw those?”

Unbuttoning my shirt. Did I see the mountain of delivery boxes next to the stairs? God. She was cute.

I nodded.

“I was getting them. I just got distracted.” She put her hand out for my shirt. “Possible evidence?”

“No, just reminding someone who they work for.”

She grinned, taking it from me. “One more question. Why does all the food here not have labels?”

“No idea. My chef manages the food.” And they now spend an extra few hours a week making sure the labels weren’t readable. So, it made counting calories near impossible.

“Did you steal a delivery truck?” Bas asked, standing in the foyer.

“No, Madeline has been shopping.”

“Now I see why you had your wardrobe extended.”

I shrugged. “Actually, if you want my car, you have to help me move this upstairs.”

“Does this suit say mover to you?” He shook his head, “Like fuck?—”

“Bastion! I thought you were another delivery driver.” Madeline ran down the stairs. Her hair was pinned up. And within seconds, my brother’s expression changed.

“Sorry to disappoint Maddy.” He grinned, slowly looking her up and down.

“Oh, you’re never a disappointment,”

“You’re too kind to me,” He winked at her. “So, Vince was just saying he needs my young muscles to help move these boxes upstairs.”